Our company was established in 1985 when Rambo, Magnum P.I., We Are the World, acid-washed jeans, day-glo outfits, and the Ford Pinto were all still raging! It all started when Dave Kaplan opened the doors to the first pillar of our company, Dave Kaplan Management. Soon after came our indie record label Surfdog Records, Surfdog Music Publishing & Licensing, Surfdog Entertainment Marketing, Surfdog
Merchandising and Surfdog’s Java Hut, all located in the slice of heaven called Encinitas, CA. Our company’s deep love for music spans rock, rockabilly, big band swing, soul, reggae, punk, folk, country and even comedy! We are driven by real musicians/artists with passion and soul, regardless of musical style; it just needs to hit you in the heart, gut, head, or all three. But don’t let our casual, unassuming nature fool you. We are relentless in our pursuit of excellence for our artists and clients and release music we love and want to share with the world. Surfdog has a diverse and acclaimed roster and has worked with a number of Grammy-award winning artists including Brian Setzer, Eric Clapton, Sublime, Dave Stewart, Glen Campbell, Joss Stone, Drake Bell, UB40, Stray Cats, Butthole Surfers, Dan Hicks, Slightly Stoopid, The Burning of Rome, The Schizophonics and many others. Surfdog Records has released over 125 albums, including several soundtracks like “The Endless Summer II” and “Step Into Liquid.” Surfdog artists’ music has been prominently featured in movies, TV, Shows, and major national commercials. We're very proud to be an ocean-conscious label and our three "MOM: Music For Mother Ocean" releases helped us contribute some of the largest donations in The Surfrider Foundation's history. These MOM albums featured the biggest names in music, including Paul McCartney, Pearl Jam, Sublime, James Taylor, Rage Against the Machine, Snoop Dogg, Jimmy Buffett, No Doubt plus many more and gained worldwide attention for the protection/preservation of our planet's ocean through the albums' success. Our classic Surfdog "stick-guy," along with our tropical, tiki-influenced office complex near the cliffs of the world-class reef break Swami's help keep us sane and grounded in this wild ride called the entertainment business. Beware…if we're ever out at a board meeting and the surf is good, you’ll know what we’re really up to! And, if you’re ever in the San Diego area, come by to check out our local hangout, Surfdog's Java Hut on Coast Highway 101, serving up killer smoothies, coffee, and grub!!
